Four S.J. animals contract West Nile

A horse in northeast Stockton contracted the West Nile virus and was euthanized earlier this month, according to the San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District.

The Record

A horse in northeast Stockton contracted the West Nile virus and was euthanized earlier this month, according to the San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District.

Three dead birds found in the county - at least one of them in Stockton and at least one in the south county - also tested positive for the disease.

According to the Mosquito and Vector Control District, the horse was in the 95212 ZIP code, and the birds were found in the 95207 and 95330 ZIP codes.

No additional human cases of West Nile virus have been reported this week. So far in 2007, there have been three human cases of West Nile virus in San Joaquin County, one of which resulted in a death.

Most people who contract the virus show no symptoms. About one in five develops the flu-like West Nile fever, which can last weeks to months. A smaller number, about one in 150, develop a more serious neurological disease.

The Mosquito and Vector Control District also reported that 12 groups of collected mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus since the last report. They were found in ZIP codes 95204, 95206, 95215, 95242, 95336 and 95337. The total of positive groups in 2007 is 108.

In 2006, there were eight human cases, two horse cases, 46 groups of mosquitoes and 19 sentinel chickens that tested positive for West Nile virus in San Joaquin County.

Residents and visitors of San Joaquin County can obtain additional information on West Nile virus including local mosquito control activities by calling the information line at (209) 469-8200 or on the web at www.sjgov.org/oes. Spray locations and times will normally be available 36 to 48 hours in advance. For more information about West Nile virus:

» Report mosquito problems to the county Mosquito and Vector Control District at (209) 982-4675 or (800) 300-4675.